Method and apparatus for coating and marking lead strip



July 23, 1957 E. L. WALTERS I 2,860,416

I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COATING AND MARKING LEAD STRIP Filed June 5, 195s. 9 sheets-sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS E. L wALTERs 2,800,416

9 Sheets-Sheet 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COATING AND MARKING LEAD STRIP Filed June 5, 1953 `Fuly 23, 1957 E. 1 WALTERS 2,800,416

NRTHDD AND APPARATUS FDR CDATTNG AND MARKING LEAD STRIP Filed June 5, 195s 9 sheets-sheet s if?. ,21 4'9 v 120 INVENTOR.

@y Q 2MP/jme ATTORNEYS nJuly 23, 197 E. L. WALTERS 2,800,416

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CDATING AND MARKING LEAD STRI.R

Filed June 5, 1953 9 sheets-sheet 4 *J A if INVENTOR. fmmatto fda te/L f2 I lex/261%@ rw/ae'- ATTORNEYS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 E. L. WALTERS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COATING AND MARKING LEAD STRIP IJuly 23, 1957 Filed June 5, 1953 JNVENToR.

We! .e

AI'TRNEYS July 23, 1957 E. L. WALTERS 2,800,416 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR vCOATING AND MARKING LEAD STRIP Filed June 5, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 July 23, 1957 E. L. wALTERs 2,800,416 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COATING ANDMARKING LEAD STRIP Filed June 5,'1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 254 l 'o 265 I' o 264 00297 0000"@ zas 0 o o 256 o O O zzb zzz 185 2z m v z 227 y 209 /228 145 A 285 25o 4 e Z852?? 7 if I- I O 219 'lq'- f-I 188 59 142 M 298 14A 29o 1e,

251 *50 5 V INVENTOIL 242 14e,

\Z97 l Z55 299 l .51 15kg, Z6

ATTORNEKl July 23, 1957 E. L. WALTERS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR'COATING AND MARKING LEAD STRIP Filed June 5,v 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 I 1 2s 201 201 m 221% .i 226 25o I g E 229 l 191 '167 mi u 151 I" 182 145 l 200197 97' 200 n 19o o l l 225 161 169 251 166 165 149 192 QZ 'L8 16g 166 201" 202 16A MJ j 49' 161 e ;.22 "5 1'16 H ,l 212 5 f 201 M291 m 1 Z5?, A/A 187 169 91 zo@ Za 9 A07 205 146 /195 209 14"1/ @9194 206 1 1 16s 41/ 11T 115. 1% 99 #62 265// 1"'1' v6 157 9 ir: 1971 211 1o we n `zoo o 77W/ig 25g 191 1,9691 Y QP .ilu 147`-\ 1,3; 215 212 146"'\ u 141 q. 25 2325*/ 188 1.1 il 19o/,5o Juf `-5A I A 162 go f 25,0 115,-- \Z17' if?, JNVENTOR. q 9 114 A /nmeo/azw l 1- BY .7 .2 J 114/ f 2 u' g@ 11 ZZMeJwp VJ w uur ATTORNEKq July 23, 1957 ED l. wAL'rr-:Rs 2,800,416

METHOD AND APPARATUS FDR coATING AND MARKING LEAD STRIP,

Filed June 5, 195s Y 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Zoe,

IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS FR COATING AND MARKEG LEAD STRIP Emmett L Walters, Toledo, hio, assigner to Libbey- Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, a coi-peration o Ghia Application June 5, 1953, Serial No. 359,792

14 Claims.` (Cl. 117-8) The present invention relates to the coating of strip material. More particularly, it has to do withan improved method for coating metals in strip form, with a metal in liquid form, and to a novel type of apparatus for performing the method in a continuous and automatic manner.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 27,927, led May 19, 1948, which has been abandoned.

The invention has already proved itself to be of considerable value in connection with the production of double glazing units, where it is presently employed to produce a thin coating of solder composition on the surfaces of a relatively soft and ductile metallic strip or ribbon, which is to be soldered to metallic coatings on the marginal portions of opposed glass sheets in a manner to provide a separator strip for such units.

The tinning of such a metal strip has heretofore posed considerable ditliculties because of the somewhat analogous nature, as to softness and ductility, of the metal strip or ribbon and the solder coating.

It is therefore one of the aims of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for completely coating a ribbon of a relatively soft metal with a metal alloy composition of similar characteristics, While at the same time preventing the ribbon from weakening during the period when it is subjected to the same temperature conditions as are necessary to reduce the alloy to a molten state.

Another object is the provision of a method and apparatus for tinning strip metal which will produce a surface coating of solder thereon suliicient to fill any minute pin holes occurring in the strip and which surface coating will be of uniform density, thickness, and surface coverage.

Another object is to provide a Strip tinning apparatus in which the surface of a metal strip or ribbon are coated by passing the ribbon through a bath of molten solder.

Another object is the provision in an apparatus of the above character of protective means, which may be in the form of a liquid bath or baths on the bath of'molten solder, for safeguarding the surface of the molten solder from reduction and oxidation by contact with the atmosphere, while permitting the ribbon being coated to move freely through the solder bath.

Another object is to provide in such apparatus a protective bath of liquid ux on the surface of the bath of molten solder at the point where the metal ribbon enters the solder bath.

Another object is the provision in a strip coating or tinning apparatus of means for removing the strip ma terial from a reel, means for cleaning the strip, means for applying a flux thereto, means for coating the iluXed strip, means for cleaning the coated strip, means for winding the clean coated strip on a second reel and means for maintaining the strip in a normally taut condition during the cleaning and coating treatment.

nited States Patent 2,800,416 Patented July 23, 1957 Another objectris the provision in a strip coating or tinning apparatus of means for imprinting indicia onto one or more surfaces of the strip after it has been coated, said imprinting means being provided with guiding means adapted to automatically adjust itself to various widths of strip material and to thereby maintain the strip in an aligned direction of movement for receiving the imprinted indicia. 1

Still another object is to provide a leader adapted to be secured to the end of a new length of metal ribbon or tape to be coated, whereby the tape can be threaded into the coating apparatus without injury thereto by the heat of the molten solder. v

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Inl the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view, in perspective, of a multiple glass sheet glazing unit provided with a separator strip that has been solder coated according to this invention;

` Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section of the coated metal tape which forms the separator strip of the unit;

Fig. 3 is a view of one form of leader for threading the tape into and through the coating apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a coating apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the forward part of the coating apparatus of Fig. 4 on a somewhat larger scale, parts thereof being Vshown in section;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the clamping arrangement for the tape reels on their respective supporting shafts taken substantially on the line 6 6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the part of the coating apparatus shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 8 8 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail View of the arrangement for passing the tape leader through the solder bath;

vand the manner ef their mounting;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the linel 12-12 in Fig, 11, and illustrates the air blast drying of the tape which follows the rst wash operation;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the discharge end of the apparatus showing the completion of the continuous coating operation initiated from the left hand end of Fig. 5; v

Fig. 14 is an end view of the portion of the coating apparatus shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 Vis an enlarged detail of a part of the tape winding mechanism;

Fig. 16 is an elevation of the rear side of the apparatus showing particularly ythe arrangement of the various driving connections for supplying power to the related elements of the coating apparatus;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of that portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 14;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged side elevation of the discharge end of the apparatus and showing particularly the strip imprinting rolls;

Fig. 19 is a plan view taken on the line 19-19 of Fig. 18 and showing the guide frame for the strip;

Fig. 20 is a vertical detail section taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the 3 imprinting rolls supporting structure taken on the line 21-21 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 22 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the supporting structure taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the bearing support for one of the imprinting roll shafts;

Fig. 24 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the imprinting roll taken on the line 24-24 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 25 is a side elevation of the rear side of the apparatus and is a continuation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of the strip afterit has been coated and imprinted;

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the strip guide frame; and

Fig. 28 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the adjusting means for the imprinting'roll shafts, taken on the line 28-28 of Fig. 21.

One important use for solder or tin coated metal ribbon or tape, producedr by the apparatus of `this invention, is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings wherein, as pointed out above, the tape, designated 10, is utilized as a separator strip,kshown at 11, between glass sheets 12 and 13 of an all glass and metal double glazing unit 14.

The double glazing unit 14, which may be more broadly referred to as a multiple glass sheet glazing construction, comprises an assembly of two, or sometimes more, glass sheets held in substantially parallel, spaced relation by the metal separator 11 in a manner to create an hermetically sealed space or spaces between the glass sheets to give a permanent and satisfactory structurefor reducing heat transfer and to prevent condensation of moisture upon the glass when mounted in glazed openings. Ordinarily, such glazing Vunits are used in a way that one sheet of glass issubjected to a different temperature or other atmospheric condition than that to which the other sheet or sheets maybe exposed. Under Vsuch temperature differentials between parts of the same glazing unit, one sheet of glass tends to expand or contract to `a greater or lesser extent than the other, with the result that there is a decided strain or stress upon the bond or union between the glass sheets and upon the separator means employed to hold the said sheets in -spaced relation. This differential and varying expansion and contraction of the component parts of the construction, coupled with the other varying conditions to which the units are normally subjected when in use, make it -extremely difficult to `construct -a glazing unit of this character in which the elements will remain joined together permanently in a -way to prevent excessive leakage Vof air, `moisture or other foreign substance into the space between the glass sheets.

Preparatory to their assembly into such a construction, the sheets of glass'12 and 13 are'provided around their margins with coatings fof a suitable metal, such as a copper alloy, which is covered by -a layer 16 of tin or other suitable soldering compound; and heretofore the metal separator strip has had its edge portions coated with solder. The method -of producing this marginal 'metallic coating on'the glass `and the solder coating on the separator, as well as the procedure of Vjoining the coated parts, is more fully explained and set forth in the previously issued patent to Hopeld, No. 2,228,352, -dated January 14, 1941, .and yin connection with the assembly procedure asexplained in the Haven and Hopfield Patent No. 2,235,681, ldated March 18, 1941.

As pointed out just above, and described in the two patents mentioned, it 'haspreviously been customary to coat-only the'edge portions of the separator strip 11 prior to assembly. However, it has been found that there'are distinct advantages in completely covering the strip with solder, and that ythis can -be most easily and effectively accomplished by bathing a ribbon of the desired strip material with molten solder while passing it continuously through a bathof such material.

cooling ,and setting of the solder.

By this procedure, the ribbon or tape, as shown in Fig. 2, and which is subsequently to be used as the separator strip 11, is provided with a continuous surface coating 17 of solder, preferably having a thickness of around .003 of an inch. By the application of heat, after the glass sheets 12 and 13 and the separator 11 have been assembled together, a part of the coating 17 is caused to flow toward and amalgamate with the solder coating 16 to produce fillets 18 on either side of the separator 11 where it is joined to the metal coating on the glass sheet and to establish a permanent and hermetic seal between the separator strip and the metal coated glass. The coating 17 remaining on the separator strip further improves the tightness of the unit by sealing minute pin holes which may occur in the body of the strip 11.

Referring again to the drawings, there has been illus trated in Fig. 4 a preferred form of strip coating apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and which is designated in its entirety by the letter A. For treating o n this machine, a length of tape 10 contained onV a supply reel B is fed into the machine A and passestherethrough to a receiving reel C.

In moving from one reel to the other, the tape 10 passes first through a dry brushing zone and then through a hot water wash wherein it is thoroughly brushed on opposite surfaces to assure removal of all oxide surface film and dirt thereon. Proceeding from the washing compartment, indicated at D, the moving ytape is subjected to drying air blasts, as at E, before entering the solder bath, generally indicated at F. The surfaces of tape are .therein treated by a fluxing composition preparatory to entering the molten solder, which is protected from atmospheric reaction by palm oil at the point of emergence .0f the tape. -Suitable wiping members and air blasts are located above the solder bath to remove collecting amounts of the oil from the tape and to hasten The tape then passes through a second washing compartment, indicated at G, is air dried, as yat H, and then is imprinted, as at I, before being wound onto the receiving reel C. The imprints are made in one surface of the tape and may, as will be more clearly hereinafter described, include such vindicia as the date of processing and the trademark of the manufacturer. The various elements above described are mounted on a structural framework J which is enclosed in 4part by suitable panels and hinged shutters to prevent scattering of matter removed from the tape as well -as to protect the functioning elements of the apparatus.

The supply and receiving reels B and C are identical so that the-y may be progressively used in alternative positions or used for ystorage of the tape previous to and subsequent to the coating operation. ln starting a new supply of tape', it is generally necessary to employ a leader, -or a needle, to thread the soft tape through the various portions of the apparatus such as the washing compartment D, the solder bath F, the washing compartment G and thence vto the receiving reelC. As shown in Fig. '3, the .leader comprises a length of sheet metal 19 4secured to the end .of the tape 10 by flexible joining links 20 that may be .of any suitable material such as glass tcloth. lThe links 2t) are secured by stapling to the leader 19, as at 21, `and are similarly attached to :the end of the tape .by stapling, as at 22. The leader is substantially .equivalent to the tape in thickness and width and, by yreason'of its stronger physical characteristics, withstands the temperatures of the solder bath while being threaded therethrough. The tape, for the Y particular v,purpose yas herein described, is composed lof 97.-partsfof1lead and 3 parts of antimony.

The supply 'reel B, 'from which the tape 10 is to be fed, ismounted on a shaft .23 whichis journaled in bearings .124, supported :on a frame 25. The reel is locked yto the .shaft by means of clamping plates V26 and 27, one of which .is removable 4inorder that replacement mayibe eected easily and rapidly. The innermost plate` 26 is secured, as by welding, to the shaft 23 while the outer plate 27, as shown in Fig. 6, is located on a squared portion 28 of said shaft, the plate having a corresponding notch formed therein for secure alignment. The end of the shaft, outward from the squared portion, is reduced in diameter and threaded as at 29, to receive a clamping Wingr nut Sil. Each of the plates 26 and 27 have pins 31 and 32, respectively, whereby connection is made with the reel by means of registry holes 33 formed in the reel side plates 34.

ln mounting a fresh reel, the holes 33 in one side plate are moved into registration with the pins 31 of the xed plate 26, and the reel shifted along the shaft 23 to cause insertion of the pins. The removable clamp plate 27 is then located adjacent the squared shaft portion 23 and the pins 32 inserted into holes 33 in the opposite side plate 34. The wing nut 30, when threaded onto the shaft end, `completes the assembly and assures rotation of the shaft as the reel is turned to remove the tape 10. The temporary union of the reel and sha-ft 23 is required in order that a braking influence may be exerted upon rotation of the reel to prevent tangling or snapping of the tape should it be withdrawn too rapidly. The brake is supplied through the medium of a wood drum 35, keyed to the shaft 2.3, which revolves against the surface friction of a strap 36, one end of which is anchored to a cross bar 37 of the frame 25. The influence of the strap 36 toward braking rotation of the drum 35 and shaft is modified by adjustment of the spring 38, attached at one end to the strap and, by means of an eye-bolt 39, to a cross bar 4i) of the frame 25 at its opposite end.

The tape is withdrawn from the supply reel A by means of a series of driving rolls 41, 4Z and 43 (Fig. 5) which engage the tape at various points of its continuity and cause its required movement. Preferably, the rolls are provided with a slightly frictional surface and, at the various points of engagement, it has been found that commercially available abrasive Wheels of a fine grit serve very effectively for this purpose. The first roll 41, as well as other of the rolls, is mounted on a shaft that can be moved vertically according to necessary adjustments. This adjustable feature of the shaft mountings, or journals, is followed through the entire arrangement of rolls and brushes which cooperate to clean the surfaces of theV tape. As shown in the drawings, the shaft 44, for the roll 41 (Figs. 5 and l1), is mounted in bearings 45 adjacent each of its ends. The bearings are supported by nuts 46 on pairs of rods 47 having threaded portions 48. By manipulation of the nuts 46 along the threaded portions, the bearings may be raised or lowered and secured in their adjusted positions. The ends of the rods 47 are carried by bridging angles 49 extending horizontally between vertically disposed angles 50 which comprise a portion of the frame J. The upright angles 50 are secured at their lower ends to channels 51 that extend between the channels 52 of the frame J and combine to form the base thereof.

The roll 41 is rotated by means of a chain drive that is common to all the motivating rolls for the tape and which will be subsequently described in greater detail. Similarly, the various rotating brushes are operated by means of a common belt system. l

As the tape is withdrawn from the reel B and over the roll 41, it passes through a fan-shaped guard 53 that is secured to an upright 50, as best seen in Fig. 5, and is directively guided by said guard to the surface of the roll. An idler roll 54 of similar size is mounted above the roll 4l on a shaft 55 to insure smoothing of the tape and to provide a slight degree of pressure which will prevent any development of slack as the tape 16 moves from the reel, across the roll 41 and to a pair of rough brushing wheels 56. The pressure exerted by the idler roll 54 can be readily modified by shifting of the shaft bearings 57 along the rods 47 by means of the pairs of nuts 58.

The brushes, or rough brushing wheels, 56 cooperate to remove dry matter and foreign particles from opposite surfaces of the tape before it passes into the washing compartment indicated at D. The hub 59 of each brush 56 is keyed to a shaft 60 that is journaled in adjustably mounted bearings 61 carried on rods 47. The mode of bearing and shaft support is similar in each respect to that previously described relative to the shaft 44.

The washing compartment, indicated at D, is contained within a sheet metal box 62 that is secured by bolts to the cross angles 49 and has a removable front wall 63, the edges of which are slidably received in suitably formed guideways 64. Within the compartment, pairs of washing brushes are arranged to cleanse the surfaces of the tape while water is directed against its upper surface. The primary cleansing, or scrubbing, to remove oxidized surface coatings, lms and dirt from the tape is accomplished by means of a pair of brushes 65, the bristles of which are metal wires to effect a thorough removing of surface films and dirt. The second pair of brushes 66 are of a conventional fiber composition and act to further the scrubbing but with a somewhat less severe effect. The hubs of the pairs of brushes 65 and 66 are keyed to their related pairs of shafts 67 and 68 that are journaled in bearings 69 and 70, the bearings being carried by pairs of rods 47, in the manner as previously set forth. The pairs of brushes 65 and 66 are also rotatively operated from the chain system that drives the brushes 56.

The streams of water which are directed against the tape 10 to flush away freed foreign matter, and to prevent lling of the brushes by such matter, are supplied from a pipe 71 and, by means of suitable connections, are fed into the compartment by nozzles 72 or end portions of suitably bent pieces of metal tubing 73 (Fig. 8). The pieces of tubing '72 extend through packing glands 74 that are located in apertures formed in the rear wall of the box 62. The ends of the nozzles 72 are located in advance of each pair of brushes 65 and 66 and are inclined to direct a stream of water tangentially toward the upper brush of each pair and the tape. It has been found preferable to supply water from a heating source and within a temperature range of 140 degrees to 150 degrecs Fahrenheit to maintain the freed foreign matter in liquid suspension as well as to aid the scrubbing action of the brushes by flushing the foreign matter from the tape.

The water having been carried from the tape or thrown by the force of the brushes against the confining walls of the box 62 is drawn away from the sloping bottoms 75 thereof by means of a pipe 76 connecting with a common drain pipe 77 (Fig. 5) which extends lengthwise through the frame J. The outlet of the pipe 77 is not shown, but it has been found expedient to connect the pipe to a suitable filter to accumulate solid material and prevent clogging of the plant drainage system.

The Water film remaining on the surface of the tape as it passes from the washing compartment is blown therefrom by continuous air blasts that are directed against the tape in t-wo areas immediately following the washing opera-tion D, and as indicated at E. As more fully shown in Fig. l2, the moving tape passes through tubular chambers 78 in which it is subjected to blasts of air under pressure. The chambers are spaced apart on each side of, or adjacent to, the roll 42. As shown in the figure, each chamber 78 is substantially tubular in form with slots 79 formed in the Walls for movement of the tape. The tubular chambers are mounted by suitable brackets 80 to adjacent portions of the apparatus. One end of each tubular chamber is flared, as at 81, to produce a venturi effect and thereby reduce the static resistance or pressure to the movement of air between lthe ends of the chamber from the air jets 82. Each jet is connected to a common fitting 83 which in turn is joined to a supply pipe 84. The exhausting air, and moisture absorbed therein from the tape, passes from the opposite ends of the chambers into branch pipes 85 and 86, each of which connects with the drain pipe 77.

As the` tape passes between the roll 42 and an. idler roll 87, the course of its movement is altered to direct its entry into the solder bath F. The roll 42 is carried rby a shaft 88 mounted by bearings 89 on .the pairs of rods 47, and the idler roll 87 is carried 'by a shaft 90 in a similar manner. During this portion of its continuous travel, the tape moves downward through the solder coating bath and then in an upward course of motion to a point at which it is again deflected into a substantially horizon-tal plane to and through the washing compartment indicated at G. To insure against whipping of the tape 10 as it leaves the roll 42 and passes from the second air chamber 78, a rectangular funnel 91 is provided to guide the moving portions of the tape toward the entry slot of the bath container. The funnel 91 may be secured by screws to the adjacent 4bridging angle 49.

The container for the solder bath, as best shown in Figs. and 8, comprises a box 92 of welded construction which is substantially L-shaped. The box is adequately surrounded by panels 93 of insulation material to reduce heat radiation losses and is supported by legs 94 on a plate or platform 95. The lower portions of the box sidewalls and the bottom wall or floor thereof may be heated by any adequate means and, as herein shown, this may be doneby electrical heat elements 96 secured to the box in a manner well know in the art. Suitable switch controls 97 are provided in the circuit of the heaters which, in conjunction with a thermostat 98, maintain the temperature of the molten solder within desired limits. For a low melting point solder of the type it has been found preferable to use, and which may comprise .tin 23%, lead 40% and bismuth 37%, a range of 370 degrees to 390 degrees Fahrenheit is quite satisfactory.

The solder is maintained at a level generally indicated as at 99 in Fig. 5, while above the solder level, at the entry end of the box, a uxing compound 100 is maintained in suicient quantity to cover the solder and to beneficially react on the tape surfaces as the tape enters the molten solder. The flux is periodically added in powder form to maintain the desired quantity and is gradually reduced to a liquid on the surface of the molten solder. In the vertical or stack portion 101 of Ithe box 92, from which the tape emerges, a quantity of palm oil, as indicated at 102, is supplied to provide a liquid seal for the molten solder to prevent any oxidation of the surface solder. The oxides, which would otherwise be formed, would attack the emerging surfaces of the tape to greatly impair the coating received by the tape and reduce the effectiveness of its subsequent employment.

The tape enters the box 92 through an aperture or vertically open chamber 102 mounted on the hinged lid 103 by means of a ange 103. The lid, when raised, gives access to the area of the box in which the fluxing composition is maintained. The vertically open chamber 102 is provided to reduce the area in which the tape enters the liquid uxing composition. This materially diminishes the surface area of the composition exposed to ambient dust or other extraneous particles and assures that the tape will become fluxed by the composition in a substantially clean condition. Obviously the bath of iluxing composition will .be replenished by more of the same constantly feeding in from the lower end of the chamber 102.

The course of movement of the tape within. the box 92 is more or less defined by a grooved wheel 104 located well down in the molten solder and by two spacing rollers 105 and 106. The roller 105 is supported on integrally 4formed shaft portions 107, the ends of which are located in bnackets 108. The brackets are attached to the side walls of the box 92 during the assembly thereof, and have slots 109 for receiving the ends of the shaft portions` and for allowing a certain amount of vertical oat to be exer- All) Y8 cised by the roller 105. From the roller, the tape 10 moves in a downward course to and around the lower area of the `grooved wheel 104. The wheel is supported on a shaft 110 that may be provided from a shoulder bolt, the ends of which are carried by brackets 111 secured to the botom or oor of the box (Fig. 9). From the wheel 104, the tape moves through the molten solder in an upwardly diagonal path to the roller 106. The shaft of the roller 106 is supported in the brackets 112, and, by reason of its spaced position from the Wheel 104, said roller generally locates the emerging portion of the tape 10 in a substantially vertical plane until it is received by and moves over the roll 113.

Excess coatings of palm oil are removed from the tape surfaces by cooperating wipers which are provided in the form of rubber blocks 114, carried on pins 115, in a frame 116 connected to the top of the box 92 and bridging angle 49. The blocks are obliquely urged into contact with the tape by means of springs 117 located between portions of the frame 116 and the blocks. Preferably, the blocks are encased in metal sheaths 118 and the adjacent ends of the springs are located about projecting pegs 119 (Fig. 10). A source of air drying is also afforded by convergently disposed air jets 120 that are connected to the main air sup'ply pipe 84 through the fitting 121.

The solder bath cabinet, generally formed by the insulating panels 93 and supported on the platform 95, is carried by beams 122 that extend transversely of the frame between the side channels 51. The platform cornprises a rectangular frame of angle iron 123 in which the plate of metal 95 is located. As is apparent in Fig. 5, when repairs are necessary, the side or end members of the panels 93 may be removed, thereby exposing the desired side of the box 92 or the heating elements 96 secured thereto.

As previously noted, when threading a fresh supply of tape through the coating apparatus, the leader 19 is successively passed through each of the units in their order. Since the solder bath is maintained at a substantially constant temperature and is consequently in a molten condition, it becomes necessary and most important to provide some means for feeding the leader through the bath. To fulfill this requirement, a semicircular trough 124 (Figs. 5 and 9) is located on the floor of the box 92 so that the ends of the trough will be adjacent the rollers 105 and 106, as shown in Fig. 5. The trough is secured to the box floor by means of bracing legs 125 and suitable screws. As is more particularly shown in Fig. 9, the trough has a relatively narrower cross sectional dimension than the grooved wheel 104 in order that the leader, when engaged above the level of the palm oil and drawn upward, will enter the grooved wheel and subsequent portions of the tape will follow in the desired order. Preferably, the leader 19 has suflicient length to be extended through the second washing compartment G to the receiving reel C before operation of the apparatus is resumed. This feature has been found necessary due to the fact that the tape 10, in this particu lar instance, is of a lead alloy composition susceptible to decomposing within the temperature range maintained in the solder bath. Otherwise, while extending the leader, the initial length of the tape would weaken and tend to melt out into the solder bath and require repetition of the feeding operation. Also, when emergencies arise which demand stopping the apparatus, the continuous length of tape must be broken before entering the solder bath while the free end is allowed to clear the confines of the box 92.

Above the wiping blocks 114 the tape contacts the roll 113 and is bent thereby to continue its path through the coating apparatus in a substantially horizontal plane. The roll 113 is provided with a resilient, grooved peripheral surface, such as a molded rubber composition, to accept the: tape without slippage and to assure its movesortais ment in a generally straight line. An axle 126 supports the roll 113 by means of pillow blocks 127 which receive the extended portion of the axle.

Adjacent the roll 113, the tape 10 is supported by the roll 43 which is similar in abrasive composition to the rolls 41 and 42 to thereby maintain the desired drawing movement on the lengths of the tape as they contact the said rolls in their order. The roll 43 is similarly keyed to a shaft 128 which is journaled in bearings 129 that can be moved vertically along a related pair of rods 47 by manipulation of the nuts 130 threaded on the rods. The roll 43 is positioned near the entry slot of the washing compartment G, the functioning elements of which are contained in a sheet metal box 131. The box 131 is a duplicate of the box 62, previously described in conjunction With the washing compartment D, and is similarly mounted on the bridging angles 49.

Passing through the box 131, the tape is subjected to the scrubbing efforts of the pairs of brushes 132 and 133 which are located so as to engage in respective order the upper and lower surfaces of the tape. The pairs of brushes 132 and 133 are carried on their respective shafts 132' and 133 that are adjustably journaled on pairs of rods 47. Streams of hot water are directed against the tape from the nozzles 134, the ends of which are inclined to present the streams of water at the juncture of engagement of the upper brushes and the tape. The immediate end of each nozzle 134 is also flattened to increase the pressure of the water and cause it to impinge more effectively on the tape surface. The lengths of metal tubing 135 from which the nozzles are formed are extended outwardly of the wall of the box 131 through suitable pack ing glands to a pipe fitting 136 by means of which the nozzles are connected to the main Water supply pipe 71.. The sloping bottom 137 of the box 131 is connected tothe drain pipe 77 by a branch pipe 138 that is suitably secured to the box to remove draining water therefrom.

Following the washing operation by which the tape isl cleansed from adhering particles of loosely attached solder and from the palm oil, it is subjected to a drying: blast of air in the tubular chamber 139. The chamber 139 is similar to the air chambers 7S and, as the tape moves through the slots 140, it is dried by the air under pressure from the air jet 141 that is connected to the air supply pipe S4. The tape then passes between they rolls 142 and 143 which maintain the regularity of its continuous movement.

The rolls 142 and 143 are keyed to shafts 144 and 145 which are journaled vin identical bearings 146. The bearings 146 are carried on pairs of threaded rods 47 along which they may be moved to raise or lower the rolls by means of the nuts 147. The shaft 144 of the roll 142 is included in the chain system that operates the shafts of the rolls 41, 42 and 43 whereby the tape is maintained at the same rate of movement throughout the entirety of the apparatus A.

As the tape leaves the surface of the roll 142, it is controlled in its forward movement through the imprinting rolls I by means of a guide frame, generally designated 148 and shown in Figs. 18, 23 and 28. This frame is bodily supported on the framework I by means of a vertically disposed plate 149 that is secured to the adjacent angle t) thereof and to a strip 150 carried byextensions 49 of the bridging angles 49. A second plate 149 is also mounted on the opposite side of the framework, as will be seen in Fig. 21, and the plates cooperate to support suitable journals for the imprinting rolls, in a manner now to be described.

More particularly, the guide frame 148 includes vertically disposed bars 151 carried by threaded studs 152 integrally formed with a bracket 153 that is suitably bolted to a anged extension 154 of plate 149. As will be seen in Fig. 21, the studs 152 .receive nuts 155 at opposite sides of the bars 151 to firmly secure said bars on the studs. The bars are slotted, as at 156, in their'- 1G upper ends and, by semi-circular recesses 157 (Fig. 27 i formed within the walls of the slots, are adapted to receive a rod 158. The rod is fixedly clamped in the annular chambers thus formed by screws 159 which operate to draw the slotted ends of the bars 151 together. The rod 158, outwardly of the bars 151, supports pairs of L-shaped brackets which are arranged as an inwardly disposed pair 160 and an outwardly disposed pair 161. One of each of these substantially identical pairs is shown in Fig. 27 wherein it will be noted that the outer end of the horizontally disposed leg 162 is annularly formed to receive a ball bearing 163. The bearing of each bracket is spaced from the other by means of a ring 164 interposed therebetween and, at each end of the rod 15S, this relation is maintained by locking rings 165 that are mechanically located in grooves 166 in the rod.

Each pair of brackets 16) and 161 are tied together by rods 167 and 168, respectively, said rods also permitting the pairs of brackets to be swung on the bearings 163 in a unison of motion. Each rod 167 or 168 is supported by its respective pair of brackets at the juncture of the leg 162 and vertically disposed leg 169 by bearings 170. For this purpose, the outer ends of each of the rods are formed with a portion of reduced diameter 171 and a threaded end 172. Carried by the reduced diameter 171 of the rod 167 is a link 173, while a similar link 174 is provided on the reduced diameter 171 of the rod 168. Also carried by each reduced diameter portion 171 is a spacer ring 175, and this assemblage at each end of rods 167 and 168 is secured thereon by nuts 176.

The links 173 and 174 are equipped in their opposite ends with ball bearings 177 between which a rod 178 is rotatably supported. The rod 178 is formed similarly to the rods 167 and 168 and therefore has end portions of reduced diameter and end threaded portions. The bearing 177 of the link 173 is thus located on the reduced portion of the rod 178, and at each end of said rod is placed a spacer ring 179. The bearing 177 of the link 174 is placed thereupon, after which a nut 180 is threaded onto the extreme ends to secure the assemblies. For the purpose of restraining the rod 178 against motion in horizontal directions, slots 181 are formed in the lower ends of the bars 151.

It may thus be seen that each pair of brackets and 161 is rotatably mounted by bearings 163 on the rod 158 and are tied together by rods 167 and 168. Further, it will be noted that the pairs are interconnected by the links 173, 174 and rod 178 so that movement imparted to either bracket or either pair will be reflected by a related movement of the opposite pair. And these movements will be entirely free of friction since at all points of support or interconnection the pairs of brackets or their associated links are joined by a freely rotatable bearing.

The purpose of the free association provided between the brackets is to enable them at the upper extremities of the vertically disposed legs 169 to deine a parallel or aligned and controlled path of movement for the tape 10 as it is imprinted, and additionally, to freely accept tapes of differing widths without further attention or adjustment. As shown in Figs. 18, 19, 20 and 27, each pair of brackets 160 or 161 carries a U-shaped plate 181 and 182, respectively, which is bolted to the top of each leg 169. Preferably the leg portions of brackets 161 are longer than those of brackets 1611 to elevate the plate 182 above the plate 181 and to provide a conned passage therebetween. The sides of the confined passage are formed by pins 183 arranged in longitudinally aligned pairs'in each leg of the U-shaped plates 181 or 182, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20. The pins 183 of plate 182 depend therefrom and are located to Contact the inner edge of the tape, while the pins 183 of plate 181 project upwardly to register with the slots 184 of plate 182 and to contact the outer edge of the tape. Their general function may be seen in Fig. 20 wherein the pins 183 11 of plate 181 are moyably disposed with respect to the slots 184 of plateisz, while thepiris' 13s qfpiata 132 are Similarly located in the slots 18,4 of 'plate 181;i cordingly, the tape 10, after leaving the' yicinity vofthe rolls 142 and 143, enters a confined passag''descrb'ed by the four pairs of pins rss and the plates' rs1 allais; two pair of thepins being located gn either 'sident the imprinting rolls 4I. i A" When any slight variation occurs in the width of the tape which enters between the y i a tape of greater or lesser width is being coatedV in the apparatus, the first pair of pins will be 4either immediately forced apart or permitted to move :closer together; `the respective pins of one plate 181 or 'within the ,slots 184 provided on the other plate, this actionwill be transmitted to the related brackets 1 60' or 1671. since the brackets and their plates are constructed in the manner aboye described, the tendency of the brackets is to swing 4outwardly to thereby insure that the pins .will bear constantly on the edges ofthe tape. Accordingly, as these brackets swing on the rod 158, their move- .ment will be reiiected in the links 173 and 174 on the associated rods .167 or 168. By way of illustration, 'as the brackets 160 and 161 are causedby an increased width of tape and consequent outward movement of the pins 183 -to swing inwardly on the rod 158, the rods 167 and 168 will be swung in a substantially upward direction and associated links 173 and 174 caused to simultaneously raise the rod 178 within the slots 1181 of bars 151. The operation of the pairs -of brackets will be therefore balanced so that the VVpairs of pins 183 will move equally to enlarge or diminish the width of the passage therebetween with an equal spacing being maintained therethrough on each side of the longitudinal course of tape movement.

The plates 181 and 182 are preferably substantially U-shaped to .accommodate the imprinting rolls I, said rolls comprising an upper dating roll 185 and .a lower anvil ro-ll 186 mounted in generally the .same manner on their shafts 187 and 1,88, respectively. The shafts are maintained in exactly spaced parallelism, which spacing is' determined by the thickness of the tape and/or the amount of pressure to be exerted during theimprinting. For this purpose, the shafts are journaled in pillow bearings 189 and 190 arranged in pairs and adjustably mount,- ed generally on the plates 149. As will be seen in Figs. 2l and 22, the lbearings 189 are located above and in vertical alignment with the bearings 1 90 and each are secured to associated plates 191 and l192. The plates 191 and 192 are attached to the plates 149 by screws and nuts 193, the screws being extended through slots 194 in the plates 149.

The lower corners of plates 191 and the upper corners of plates 192 are provided with angularly disposed surfaces 195 and 196, said surfaces being provided with grooves 197. Wedge-shaped blocks 19.7 having inwardly convergent surfaces 198 are disposed between the angled surfaces 195 and 196 and with their ridges 199 received within the grooves 197. Each .block 197 is tapped to receive a rod 200 having oppositely threaded ends whereby rotation of said rod in either direction will move the blocks toward one Aanother or-V farther apart as desired. During movement of the blocks, the convergent svtrfaces thereof cause the plates `.191"and 192 to"b'e'sirrtilarly moved in a plane normal tothemovement of the blocks. The plates may be secured inv their .adjusted positins by meansV of set-screws 201 threadably mounted in vbrackets 202 attached to the upper and lower portionsof the plates 149.` Thus, to adjust the spacing between the Ashafts 187 and 188of the dater and anvil rolls, the `screws and nuts 193 are loosened as arefthe set-screws'ZQl land the Vrod 200 is then turned to shift the blocks 19.7' to thereby change the spaced relation ofthe plates 191 and 192, the bearings 189 and A19.0,and the as'sociatedsha'fts 187 `n`d1j88. '4

pairs of'pinfs 183,or`wlien YIn order that dater roll and anvil roll v1 86 'be positiyely 'maintained 'at their desired spacing, additional rneans `are'providedinndirectA association with the rolls. This insures that Ithe shafts 187 and r188, lwhile rotatably iournaledinv their respective pillow bearings 187 and 190, will be prevented 'fromy springing in the immediate vicinity of AtheV rolls. A s hereinprovided, such additional spacing means includea pair of blocks 203 and 204, each of ywhich are formed to retain ball bearings 205. As shownl in Fig. 23, the block 203 is annularly recessed to receive the bearing 205 and grooved as at 206 to receive a retainer ring 207 in engagement with the surface of `the outer race. The inner' race of the lbearing is concentrically mounted on the hub 208 of an annular plate 209 and said hub 208 is shouldered adjacent the enlarged tiange of plate 209 and grooved at its outer end to receive a retainer ring 210, thereby securing the inner race of the bearing against axial movement. This construction has its equivalent in the block`204. The plate l'209, in either case, is `secured on and to .an associated shaft ,187- or- 188 by a taper pin 211.

The blocks 203 and 204 are maintained in adjusted spaced relation by means of a threaded rod and sleeve arrangement of the character shown in Fig. 28. The block 204 adjacent its opposite ends is vertically drilled .and tapped to receive threaded rods 212 which are secured therein -by nuts 213, while the 'block 203 is similarly vertically drilled to receive. a sleeve 214 having a flanged lower end 215 and a threaded upper end on which a nut 216 is located. The upper end of each sleeve 214 is internally threaded to receive the upper threaded en d of the associated rod 212, and the end of each ysleeve is also externally finished as a hexagon, as at 217, having slots 218, such as in a conventional ycastellated nut. To adjust the axial spacing between the blocks 203 and 204 to accord with the similar spacing of pillow bearings 189 and 19,0, the nuts 21.6 are loosened and each sleeveI 214 is turned on its associated rod 2 12 to move the blocks 203 and 204. When each of the sleeves have been turned an equal amount to obtain a balanced spacing ibetween -blocks 203 .and 204, the nuts 216 are retightened.

rIfhe dater rol ly 1785 on shaft 187 is secured thereto by means of a bar keyv 219, while the anvil roll 1,86 is similarly4 keyeduto the shaftl 188.V The roll186, however, may beof a unitary or'rsolid construction having a hardened annular periphery,` while the. dater roll 185 is formed by separable members forfeasy replacement ofthe printing blocks located'th'erein. For-this purpose, as shown in Figs. 18 and 24, the dater roll comprisesV an annular disk 220 having radially disposedfwedge-shapedj recesses 221 formed in one or the outermost face thereofv and having suitable printing blocksf2'22 arranged within said recesses.

The type orcharacters of the blocks 222 are intended to denote such symbols as maybe desired for manufacturing. records, and for't'his purpose, the characters are alternately reversed'so that such imprinted records can be as easily read from one direc/tiona's from the other. Further, as is set forth in Fig. 26, by way of example, the imprinting may include the trade-mark of the assigneeof this application as well as date of tape coating legibly marked into the surface of the tape; first to be read from one side 0% the tape Iand thenA alternately to be read from the other s1 e.

The blocks 222 are conventionally formed with agroove 223 which registersl withl an annular groove 224, inthe face of the disk 220, the groove 224 being interrupted at each recess When the blocks are suitably located in the said recesses, a plate 225 (Fig.v 24) having an annular ridge 226 is slid onto the shaft. 187 and against the disk 220, so that the ridge 226 enters thefgroove 224 thereof and the grooves 223 of the individual printing blocks 22,2.l The. plata. 225v and disk 22o-.treinen firmly secured together by means of screws`227'threaded into the disk 220 and; having` their heads received in counterboresl inthe plate 225. A clamping disk. 228 having'. a diameterfsubstestially actual. to.. the. Hangs 0?121305209' fetaifis th 13 dater roll 185 bodily on the shaft and is suitably secured thereon by a nut 229 threaded onto theend of shaft 187. A disk 228 may be similarly employed to clamp the anvil roll 186 on its shaft 188. The shafts are driven by a common source of power, as will be more fully hereinafter described, and, for this purpose, are equipped at their opposite ends with sprockets 230 and 231 respectively.

Thus, as the tape enters and moves through the guide frame 148, its edges are engaged by pairs of opposed pins 183 of plates 181 and 182 in order that during the imprinting thereof the width of the tape will be longitudinally centered with the printing characters peripherally located about the dater roll 185. The tape then passes between rolls 232 and233 which maintain the regularity of its moving continuity and also deflect the tape to an inclined direction of movement toward the receiving reel C.

The rolls 232 and 233 are keyed to shafts 232' and 233 which, as previously described, in connection with the rolls 142 and 143, are preferably journaled in bearings 146. The bearings are carried on pairs of threaded rods 47 along which they may be vertically moved by means of nuts 147 to raise or lower the rolls. The shafts 232 and 233 are included in the chain system that operates the shafts of the rolls 41, 42, 43 and 142 whereby the same rate of movement is maintained.

As the tape leaves the surface of the roll 232, it passes through a guard 234 that is mounted on an adjacent upright 50. The guard serves to steady the tape against Whipping thereby preventing drawing or snapping of the tape which might induce tangling. The tape is wound onto the reel C, as the reel is rotated, and its length is progressively fed back and forth laterally to form a regular lay of the tape as is customary in all conventional winding devices. To produce the alternate movement of the tape in a lateral course, a slotted block 235 is provided which is adapted to direct the tape as it leaves the guard 234. The block 235 is carried on a grooved shaft 236 (Fig. 1S) and is movably related therewith by a stud 237. A groove 238, formed in the periphery of the shaft, partakes of a helical or spiral formation so that upon Vrotation of the shaft, the stud 237 will shift transversely along the shaft according to the lead of the developed spiral. Preferably, the spiraling of the groove is designed to produce deceleration at defined end areas with acceleration producible in an intermediate portion, adjoining the end areas, and by reduction of the lead of the spiral. The ends of the deceleration zones are interconnected by a loop portion. Thus, the block 235 and stud 236 move at the desired rate of movement to feed the tape to the reel in overlaying order from the side plates thereof with an increase of motion as the tape is wound onto the area more centrally located. The spiral groove 238 therefore has two delined helical portions which cross one another to produce the desired reciprocation of the block in both directions of movement. As the stud 237 of the block continues to the left, as seen in Fig. l5, it will continue at an accelerated rate produced by the lead of the groove portion 23821; then at a decelerated rate as the stud enters the groove portion 238b; passing in the loop 238C, the stud will reverse the direction of movement of the block and will resume the slow transverse motion upon entering the groove portion 238d until reaching the groove portion 238e wherein the motion will accelerate. The similarity of deceleration and return will be produced as the stud 237 enters the groove portion 238C and returns by the portion 238g to the centrally located acceleration portion 238:1.

The shaft 236 is mounted in suitably arranged journals 239 that are secured to a part 24) of the frame l of the apparatus. The shaft is driven at a comparable rate of speed to the rate of speed at which the mounting shaft 241 for the receiving reel C rotates. The shaft 241 is carried in bearings 242 mounted on a frame 243 and is similarly formed to clamp the reel therein, as in the 14 i instance of the shaft 23 upon which the supply reel B is mounted. The shaft has secured thereto one clamping plate 244 and a squared portion 245 for receiving the clamping plate 246. The plates 244 and 246 are provided with pins 247 and 248 for insertion into the holes 33 of the side plates 34 of the reel. In similar manner, a Wing nut 249, threaded onto the end 250 of the shaft 241, serves to clamp the plate 246 against the reel and thereby temporarily cause rotation of the reel with the shaft. As herein provided, the shaft 241 is formed of aligned portions 251 and 252 interconnected by a slip clutch 253 comprising two wood plates 254 and 255. The plates 254 and 255 are secured to metal backing plates 256 and 257 respectively. The plates 256 and 257 have hub portions by which the assemblage of the plates 254 and 256 and 255 and 257 are carried on the related shaft portions. Preferably, the hub of the plate 256 is keyed to the driven shaft portion 252 while the hub of the plate 257 on the driving shaft portion 251 is engaged in driving connection therewith by means of a pin 258 entering a groove 259 formed in the periphery of the shaft. The adjoining faces of the plates 254 and 255 are frictionally held in engagement by means of a spring 260 to transmit motion from the driving portion 251 of the shaft to the driven portion 252. The spring 260 is positioned between the hub of the plate 257 and a collar 261 keyed to the shaft portion 251 and, by reason of its expanding characteristics, urges the wood facing plate 255 into frictional contact with the mating plate 254. The slip clutch 253 is thus utilized to permit a gradual slowing of rotation of the reel as the layers of tape 1t) increase and the peripheral speed demand is diminished. The shaft portion 252 has a sprocket 262 mounted thereton which drives a sprocket 263 on the shaft 236 through a chain belt 264 and, as the driven shaft portion 252 revolves at a slower rate, the shaft 237 will correspondingly slow down. The transverse laying of the tape may thus be maintained at a proportionate rate to the speed at which the reel revolves to wind the tape thereon.

When the tape supply on the reel B becomes exhausted, and the end length has been received on the reel C, the operation of the coating apparatus is terminated. After replacing a fresh supply reel on the shaft 23 and an empty reel on the shaft 241, the operation is resumed subsequent to threading of a leader 19 through the apparatus. It is customary to supply a quantity of leader strips since, as each is fed through the apparatus, it is wound onto the receiving reel and not removed therefrom until the tape is removed for later use. Ordinarily, the leaders are then returned to the coating operation for re-use in their intended employment.

The chain belt systems which provide power for operating the various rolls and brushes throughout the coating apparatus derive their motion from a common source; although, and due to the difference in speed required for the rolls and for the brushes, a differential in speed is produced by a conventional speed reducing means. As particularly illustrated in Fig. 16, the chain belt systems comprise individual belts 265 and 266. The belts are operated from a common power source such as the electric motor 267, that may be mounted on angles 268 comprising a part of the frame J. Pulleys 269 and 278 on the motor shaft 271 provide the power take-off through the belts 272 and 273; the belt 272 being trained about the pulley 270, the pulley 274 and tensioning idler 275, while the belt 273 is trained about the pulley 269, pulley 276 and idler 277. By reason of the difference in dimension established between the various pulleys, the R. P. M. of the motor 267 is reduced to move the tape 16 through the coating apparatus A at a desired rate while from the same source the drive to the several operating brushes may be such as to provide the necessary scrubbing effect.

Rotation of the pulley 274 is thus materially reduced from that Vof the pulley 269 by which it is driven through the belt 272. The pulley 274 is keyed to a suitably journaled stub shaft 278 on which is also keyeda pulley 279 of substantially reduced diameter. The pulley 279 is operatively connected to the pulley 280 by means of the belt 281, the dimensional ratio between the pulleys 279 and 280 again reducing the R. P. M. of the motor so that the pulley 280 and the shaft 144 upon which it is mounted are rotated at the desired rate of vspeed for movement of the tape. The pulley 280 is carried by the shaft 144 at the end opposite the roll 142. Also carried by the shaft 144 and adjacent the pulley 280 is the sprocket 282 on which the chain belt 265 is trained. The belt 265 in its continuity comprises an upper return ight 265a and a lower flight 265b which, by means of adequately positioned idler sprockets, `is trained about similar sprockets that drive the shafts 44, 88, 128, and 144 of the rolls 41, 42, 43 and 142 respectively. The belt 265 further is trained about sprockets which drive the shafts 187, 232' and 233 and 188 of the rolls 185, 232, 233 and 186 respectively.

More specifically, the chain belt moves from the upper flight a to the sprocket 230 on shaft 187, over an idler sprocket 283 suitably journaled on bracket 284 on a plate 150; under sprocket 285 on shaft 233'; about idler sprocket 286 journaled on a similar bracket 284 on an angle 50, about sprocket 287 (Fig. 17) on shaft 232'; over idler sprocket 288 journaled on a bracket 284 on plate 150; under sprocket 231 on shaft 188 and over an idler sprocket 289 journaled on a bracket'284 onan angle 50 to the sprocket 290 on shaft 144 of roll 142 to a plurality of idler sprockets 291. The idler sprockets 291 located adjacent the ends of the frame J receive the belt 265 from a sprocket 292 on the shaft 44 of the roll 41 and, at the opposite end of the frame, direct it subsequently, as described, to the sprocket 230.

During movement throughout this portion of the belt travel (from sprocket 290), it is trained successively over a pair of idler sprockets 293 to a'sprocket 294 keyed to the shaft 12S for driving the roll 43; thence to a sprocket 295 on the shaft 88 of the roll 42 and by means of the idler sprockets 296 to the sprocket 292 on the shaft 44 from which engagement the belt continuously moves to an end sprocket 291 and into the upper return flight a. The rolls 41, 42, 43, 142, 185, 186, 232 and 233 thus are driven at an equal rate to maintain a constancy of tape movement at the points of contact with the rolls in their order.

The receiving reel C is rotated by a chain belt 297 from a take-off sprocket 298 on shaft 232 to a sprocket 299 on the driven portion 251 of the shaft 241. While the sprocket 299 on the portion 251 of the'shaft 241 revolves at a uniform rate of speed, it has previously been noted that the slip clutch 253 between the driving and driven portions 251 and 252 of the shaft permit a gradual reduction in reel rotation as the wound tape increases, layer by layer, and requires a slower peripheral speed to uniformly receive the tape.

The transmission of motor power from the pulley 270 by the belt 273 to the pulley 276 may be reduced according to the desired peripheral speed for the brushes. As herein shown the pulley 276 is keyed to the supporting shaft 132 of the lower brush of the pair 132 in the Washing compartment G. The continuous chain belt 266 is trained around sprockets 300 carried at the endsof the shafts 60, 67, 68, 132"and 133' andfaccording to the most advantageous direction of rotation. In View of the engagement of the belt at some points on the upper range of teeth on some of the. sprockets and the `lower'range of teeth of other of the sprockets, a certain degree of tension must be maintained to prevent jumping or dropping of the chain belt as the .case may be. .This condition of tension is obtained by, means of a sprocket' 301 carried on a pivotally mounted arm 302. The arm302 is mounted on a pin 303 secured toa bridging angle 49. The sprocket 301 is located on a-jshaft304 in the-opposite end of thearm which is ,bifurcatedto receiveqthe zleader.

sprocket and allow movement of the chain belt. A resilient member, such as the spring 305, is connected to the bifurcated end as by the strap 306 and serves to maintain the belt taut and in proper-mesh with the several sprockets. The opposite end of the spring isv attached to a link 307 pivotally connected to a side channel 51.

The systems provided by each of the chain belts 265 and 266 thus afford a power drive for the Vmoving elements of the coating apparatus according to the desired speed of their rotation and obviously, by substitution of the various pulleys for others of different size, any desired speed may be obtained. The side of the apparatus on which the moving parts are located is enclosed by removable panels as shown in Fig. 8 to prevent accidental tampering or .injury of vthe machine or to the operators.

T he .complete .operation [he tape 10, which is of a lead alloy composition having substantially Y97 parts of lead and 3 parts of antimony, as'previously slet forth, land furnished in ribbon form, is wound onto a reel from the 4spools on which it is procured. When a desired quantity has been transferred to theV reel, the free end of the tape is connected to a leader '-19 by stapling `the free end of the tape to the exible joining `link 20, as indicated at 22. After this attachment 'has been made, the leader 19 is wound onto the reel. The reel is then 'loaded onto the shaft y23 Vso that the `ho1es 33 in the side plate '34 receive the pins 31 on the plate 26; the plate -27 is then located onthe square portion 2 8 of the'shaft 23 and the pins 32 inserted into holes 33 in the opposite side plate 3 4 of the reel. The Wing nut 30 -is `turned onto the vthreaded end 29 of the shaft and fbrought tightly against the plate 27. An empty reel -must also be located on the driven end 252 of the shaft241 at the opposite end of the apparatus; the side plates ofthe reel receiving, in the holes 33, the pins 247 and 248 of -the clamping plates 24 4 and 246 and so that the reel -is temporarilyconnected for rotation with the shaft 241. i

The leader 19 is then passed through the fan-shaped guard53, over-the roll 41 and brushes 56 to and through ithe boxl62 of the washing compartment. lf desired, 4a

shelf 308 maybe located between the pairs of brushes65 and'66 to support th e-l ength of leader as it moves through Vand between the brushes. This shelf is not essentially required since if not desired vthe front wall 63rrnay be raised or removed at this point in the feeding of the The end of the leader is then passed through the-slots 79 of the first air drying chamber 78 and then through the slots o f the second chamber 78 andwinto the funne11291.

The leader 19 has now been fed through the apparatus fto the solder bath F and a sufficiently free lengthiswithdrawn-from -the'supply reelB andimmediately from the funnel 91 Vto-permitr freedom of movement when `the leaderis projected downwardly into the molten solder.

As the -end of the-leader is inserted into the solder, it is received bythe trough 1'24 and caused to move Ibeneath -the-grooved wheel 104 and upwardly until by lthe con- -tinuous lfeeding ofthe leader downward, the end is pro- .jected upwardly'and above the palm oil, at which point vit can be gripped-as by a pair of pliers and the remainder of the-leader drawn therethrough. When a suicient 'length is obtained above the wiping blocks, the leader Vis `ltrainedfover-the-roll-113 and the roll 43 and inserted Sinto lthe second 'washing compartment, wherein it is zpassedrbetween the pairsof ybrushes 132 and 133. A

-shelf 30S-may also be secured to the wall of the box 131 to support the leader and assist its projection through the washing compartment.

The remaining length of leader -is now passed through the air chamber 139, between the'pins 183 of the guide frame.148 and from roll 232 to the guard 234 and rblock `235, and is started onto thereceiving reel C. Operation o f the motor 267 is now resumed and, by means .of the chain belt systems 265 and 266, the rolls and pairs of brushes will successively pass the tape -until it has received a coating of solder, is imprinted and wound onto the reel C. Dependent -upon the rate of movement of the tape through the molten lsolder and the temperature at which the solder is maintained, the coating 17 received -by the tape can be produced in the desired thickness.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same, but that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A method of coating lead strip, which comprises passing the strip to be coated first through a bath of fluxing material, then passing the uxed strip into a bath of molten solder, drawing the strip out of said solder bath, and applying an identifying marking -to the surface of the strip after it has been drawn from the bath of solder.

2. A method of coating lead strip as defined in claim 1, wherein the identifying marking is impressed in the solder coating on the surface of the strip.

3. A method of coating lead strip, which comprises passing the strip to be coated al-ong a definite path, brushing and washing the opposite surfaces of the moving strip 4as it continues forwardly to remove oxidized coatings and dirt thereon, drying opposite surfaces of said strip, directing the strip downwardly through a bath of fluxing material and then into a bath of molten solder, drawing the solder coated strip upwardlyy from the bath of molten solder' through an oil bath, drying said strip to remove any `oil collected thereon and to hasten cooling of the solder, and washing and drying the opposite surfaces of :the strip to remove adhering particles of loosely attached solder.

4. A method of coating lead 'strip as dened in claim 3, including the further steps of passing the strip after washing and drying along a positively controlled substantially straight horizontal path, and periodically applying an identifying mark to the solder coating on a surface of the strip as it travels along said path.

5. In combination in apparatus for coating and marking metal strip, comprising means for passing the strip to be coated along a definite predetermined path, a receptacle adapted to contain iluxing material and molten solder interposed in the path of travel of the strip and through which said strip passes, marking means also pos1- tioned in the path of movement of the strip including an imprinting member engaging said strip after it is coated with solder, `and means for maintaining the said strip in alignment with said imprinting member.

6. In apparatus as defined in claim 5, in which the lastnamed means includes pairs of guide pins between which the strip passes -and mounting means for the pins that Ienable the pins engaging opposite edges of the strip to move freely toward or away from one another according to variations in the width iof said strip.

In combination in apparatus for coating and marking metal strip, comprising means for passing the strip to be coated along a definite predetermined path, a receptacle adapted to contain -uxing material and molten solder interposed in the path of travel of the strip and through which said strip passes, and marking means also positioned in the path of movement of the strip including an imprinting member engaging said strip after it is coated with solder, and a pivotally mounted framework associated with said imprinting member and having means operable upon contact with the strip to pivot the framework and align the strip with the imprinting member.

8. In apparatus as ldefined in lclaim 7, wherein said pivotally mounted framework includes spaced movable plates over which the metal strip passes, and actuating pins carried by `said plates and engaging opposite edges of the metal strip and being freely movable with -said plates to- 18 ward and away from one another according to variations in the width of said metal strip.

9. In apparatus for coating lead tape, comprising means for passing the tape to be coated along a definite predetermined path, a receptacle adapted to contain a fluxing material and molten solder interposed in the path of travel of said tape and through which the tape is successively passed, washing means interposed in the path of travel of the tape in advance of said receptacle, drying means positioned in the path of travel of the tape between said washing means and said receptacle, said drying means comprising a pair of spaced, substantially parallel interconnected tubular members each having a flared end and slots in the walls thereof through which the tape travels, and means for blowing air against opposite surfaces rof the tape through each of said spaced members from the flared end thereof.

10. In apparatus as defined in claim 9, in which means is provided engageable with the side edges of the tape for maintaining the tape along a substantially straight horizontal path, and marking means positioned in the path of the tape and associated with said last-named means for periodically imprinting the central area of a surface of said tape.

11. In lead strip tinning apparatus, a substantially L- shaped solder bath container comprising a vertical portion anda horizontal portion in which the solder level is maintained and into which the strip enters, said solder level also extending into the Vertical portion, said horizontal portion including a separate flux-containing compartment disposed adjacent the upper part thereof, an open ended member of reduced area carried within the flux-containing compartment and through which the strip passes upon first entering said container, means for guiding the lead strip successively through the horizontal and vertical portions of said container, means adjacent said open ende-d member for engaging the opposite side edges of the solder coated strip for maintaining said strip in alignment for movement along a substantially straight path, and marking means positioned in the path yof the strip and associated with said last named means for periodically placing an imprint on the surface of said strip.

l2. In la lead strip tinning apparatus, a supply reel, means for removing the strip from said reel and guiding it along a generally horizontal path, washing means for receiving and acting upon the strip, rotatable brushes operatively associated with the washing means and arranged to engage the opposite surfaces of the strip as it continues forwardly t-o remove oxide surface iilm and dirt therefrom, tubular drying means comprising a plurality of spaced chambers through which the strip passes and by which blasts of air are directed upon sai-d strip, a lsubstantially L-shaped solder bath container having a vertical portion and a horizontal por-tion in which the solder level is maintained and into which the strip enters, said horizontal portion further including a Eux-containing compartment disposed above said horizontal portion and having an open ended member of reduced area carried within the flux-containing compartment through which the strip passes before progressing through the solder bath container, drying means positioned above the solder bath in the lupper part 4of the vertical portion of said container, additional washing means and additional rotatable brushes arranged to cleanse opposite surfaces of the strip as it continues forwardly from said drying means, and additional tubular `drying means positioned in the path of the moving strip for directing blasts of air upon said strip.

13. In apparatus as defined in claim 12, in which means is provided engageable with the opposite side edges of the solder coated strip for maintaining the strip along a subs-tantially straight horizontal path, and marking means positioned in the path of the strip and associated with said last-named means for periodi-cally imprinting the central area of a surface of said strip.

14. In an apparatus for marking metal strip, means macon-re Y 19 for passing the strip in a predetermined path, 'markingv means mounted in a fixed position in tliepatl'f of travel of the strip, and means for supporting a'nd guiding the metal strip past the marking means including api'votally mounted framework, a pair of movable plates'carriedl by said framework and actuating pins carried 'by said plates and engaging opposite side edges of the metal'strip, said actuating pins being freely movable with said plates'toward and away from one 'another irl-accordance with variations in the Width of the metal lstrip to maintain said' strip in alignment with said marking means.

V.References Cited in thele of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Cook "OEL 5, 1897 20 iRoberts Feb. 9, vL'endi f 'July` 30, Hawkins Ji1'ne'5, Shively Jan. '22, Holden Iet al. Iune'lO,` Hinsky vMay l, Debl'ie '12111.13, Abbott Oct. 3, Hershey et al. f Nov. l2, Gonser et a1. Dec. 3, Rittenhouse June 16, Ahern* Oct. 26, Sherman ?Nov; 27, Hahn May-2,

FOREIGN 4PATENTS GreatBrit'ain May 2, 

